After owning my 55 plate MK2 for nearly 4 weeks now, I have found that when driving at night the dipped beam does not seem bright enough, or shine far enough ahead

The outer lens looks like its plastic so upgrading the bulbs to a slightly higher output could melt them, also there is no defined v shaped pattern ahead like there was with my Kia.

like this \

\_______

where are the adjusters for moving the lights up and down and from side to side and which is witch.

Is there any aftermarket headlights on the go yet

Philips X-treme or Osram Nightbreaker globes produce more light without any extra heat or current consumption (but they cost more and don't last as long as std globes - always that "there's no such thing as a free lunch" principle :(

Or fit a HID kit.

Or fit a HID kit.

Whats a HID kit:confused:

Are you sure your headlights haven't been set for the contient and not for the UK? When I test drove a vRS PD there was plenty of light and a pronounced kick up like you are suggesting.

Whats a HID kit:confused:

High Intensity Discharge Light (Xenon) works by high voltage arc across a tube filled with Xenon gas, produces a very bright light that looks slightly blue to oncoming vehicles.

Retrofitting these is quite controversial as by the letter of the law the lights need to be self levelling and have washers fitted. (Standard halogen lights aren't self levelling)

After market HID kits don't address the above two points and you end up with a car that is at best is an MOT failure and at worst a hazard to other drivers as they get dazzled even on dipped beam.

After owning my 55 plate MK2 for nearly 4 weeks now, I have found that when driving at night the dipped beam does not seem bright enough, or shine far enough ahead

The outer lens looks like its plastic so upgrading the bulbs to a slightly higher output could melt them, also there is no defined v shaped pattern ahead like there was with my Kia.

like this \

\_______

where are the adjusters for moving the lights up and down and from side to side and which is witch.

Is there any aftermarket headlights on the go yet

You should get \____ \____ if not you have it on flat lined ____ ____ european driving mode.

If it's in this mode you get a lot less light where you would expect it.

There are adjusters in the headlamp for this that you can adjust or your dealer can. Suggest they do as they sold it to you like that.

Failing that there is a guid on here that a search will find easily enough

High Intensity Discharge Light (Xenon) works by high voltage arc across a tube filled with Xenon gas, produces a very bright light that looks slightly blue to oncoming vehicles.

Retrofitting these is quite controversial as by the letter of the law the lights need to be self levelling and have washers fitted. (Standard halogen lights aren't self levelling)

After market HID kits don't address the above two points and you end up with a car that is at best is an MOT failure and at worst a hazard to other drivers as they get dazzled even on dipped beam.

As far as I'm aware it isn't a legal issue as the laws on self levelling and washers is ONLY applicable to factory fit HID kits and not on kits purchased at a later date and then fitted.

I wont swear to this, however I'm sure I've read this as confirmed information on a few forums.

I don't personally agree with it - having been dazzled by many a "non levelling" HID setup at night.

As far as I'm aware it isn't a legal issue as the laws on self levelling and washers is ONLY applicable to factory fit HID kits and not on kits purchased at a later date and then fitted.

I wont swear to this, however I'm sure I've read this as confirmed information on a few forums.

I don't personally agree with it - having been dazzled by many a "non levelling" HID setup at night.

You've been misinformed then

You've been misinformed then

Fair enough.

Where however are you quoting the information on "suspect legality" from?

The wording on most sites to do with "MOT and HID" does specifically mention factory fitted and not aftersales fitted.

Just interested as if it really is the case there are a few other people on other forums that I'm sure would be interested.

I've passed two MOTs with HIDs - in standard reflector lamps - on my previous Astra. That's the Northern Ireland MOT too, which is performed in government run testing centres, not a garage system like in England.

As long as your kit is E-marked (which most are now), and conforms to the correct beam pattern, then there is no issue with retrofitted systems as far as MOT is concerned.

All that said, this Department for Transport - Aftermarket HID (Xenon) headlamps says they're illegal.

However, you won't find any Police force stopping you for havingthem fitted, nor will you fail an MOT as long as they're adjusted correctly as the MOT test doesn't check self levelling or washing systems for lights.

Edited 5 August, 200817 yr by _ZS_

I have had HIDS in the past (in an Xtrail and then swapped them to a Navara).

I found that the beam pattern wasnt as good as standard lights although the actual light output made up for that.

Although I dont agree with there use in all applications I would say that if someone is sensible and willing to risk the cost of having them and binning them then its worth a try. When I say this, I mean that they will be suitable to some cars headlights and useless with others.

They should be, in theory be OK in projector style lights as whatever light is behind the projector is changed by the projector. In reflector style headlamps, the light reflects of the bulb to the reflector and then out to the road. If the bulb is a different style/shape to the type it was made for the beam pattern will be all wrong.

Having said all that, I have nightbreakers in my OctyII and am more than happy. If I start to drive more at night then I may consider HIDS again.

Steve

You should get \____ \____ if not you have it on flat lined ____ ____ european driving mode.

If it's in this mode you get a lot less light where you would expect it.

There are adjusters in the headlamp for this that you can adjust or your dealer can. Suggest they do as they sold it to you like that.

Failing that there is a guid on here that a search will find easily enough

Was working tonight, and found a nice flat spot in front of a wall, the results where for dipped beam NS \____ OS _____

Main beam NS \____ OS ____/ and it passed a taxi MOT 2 weeks ago, no idea how, they checked them on the beam checker, so if its dry tomorrow I will attempt to rectify them, I will have to learn how to change a bulb anyway as its a taxi

full beam are not affected by the adjusters and will be \_____ _____/

dipped should be \_____ \_____ and it's easy enough to do.

There is a little bit of metal in the light fitting that basically blocks the bulbs light output to flatline the output. LIke I siad a guide is on here though.

I've got xenon's but my full beams on my vRS are halogens, personally i think the full beam is pants. been considering upgrading to dual xenon or swapping the halogens for some Philips lamps

Just to ad my pennys worth, as stated earlier Fitting HID without washers and self leveling is technically illegal, although most MOT stations wont even notice/care. I have known of people being stopped by the police but its rare and usually due to incorrect beam patten.

Can anyone suggest good bulbs for the high beam as i have xenon dips and have heard the mains are pants!

Osram NightBreakers or Philips Xtreme bulbs are the best on the market currently

Osram NightBreakers or Philips Xtreme bulbs are the best on the market currently

excellent ill do a quick google

cheers

IIRC Philips aren't making a H1 X-treme globe (for hi-beam) yet, but they are supposed to be some time in the near future.

I just use the Philips Bluevision in my H1 beams, and the HID H7 dips. I previously used the Philips X-Treme H7 in the car - they did do a very good job compared to the factory fit Silvania bulbs (Osram I believe?)